Imagine you’re a detective in an old school noir movie. You’re trying to find a killer (and you’re being pretty hard-boiled about it, whatever that means) and you have one piece of information: the suspect suffers from Swimmer’s Ear.
So there’s a long montage (with dramatic music) as you dig through old high school yearbooks and local newspaper clippings. You’re trying to see if any of your prime suspects were on the high school swim team. Or if they currently have a membership at the local pool.
Of course, finally you find one (and only one–that’s how these movies work) who fits the bill, and it leads you straight to the killer. Case closed! (There’s probably an intense action scene or some weirdly philosophical bickering before the end–depends on the type of movie.) And it’s all thanks to Swimmer’s Ear.
Unfortunately, that’s not at all how it would work in real life. The hard-boiled detective made a flawed assumption. In real life, Swimmer’s Ear does not impact only swimmers.
What is Swimmer’s Ear?
The symptoms associated with Swimmer’s Ear are really no fun. Typically, you’re talking about redness around the outer ear, lots of itching (usually inside the ear canal, in a place you can’t really reach), pain when you wiggle your earlobe, and maybe even some pus. It’s… not fun.
Swimmer’s Ear is one of those conditions that, though not necessarily life threatening, can be uncomfortable enough to dramatically impact your overall quality of life. It will make you miserable. While the infection rages, Swimmer’s Ear can even cause hearing loss.
What is the difference between Swimmer’s Ear and an ear infection? Typically, it’s the location. While an ear infection usually impacts the inner ear, Swimmer’s Ear impacts the outer ear canal. Usually, this means that the outer ear is infected by either a bacteria or a fungus (if you’ve been watching The Last of Us, there’s no need to worry about this particular fungus turning you into a zombie).
What causes Swimmer’s Ear?
Despite its name, Swimmer’s Ear is not caused by, well, swimming (mostly). Instead, Swimmer’s Ear is caused by an infection–usually a bacteria or a fungus.
But that’s not to say that swimming is entirely unrelated (our movie detective wasn’t totally right–but he wasn’t totally wrong either). Both bacteria and fungi like warm, moist environments–so it’s not entirely shocking that extended exposure to water can increase your risk of developing Swimmer’s Ear.
But water’s not the only risk factor when it comes to Swimmer’s Ear. There are other ways you can increase your chances of developing this very special outer ear infection, including the following:
- Sustaining an injury to your ear canal. This can sometimes happen during cleaning (if you’re too aggressive with your fingernails or a cotton swab, for example). Cuts or scrapes can become infected and lead to Swimmer’s Ear.
- Excess ear wax. Usually, earwax can help keep your ears clean. But too much of a good thing can be potentially harmful in this case–the extra earwax can become a vehicle for bacteria–and irritate the skin in your ear canal at the same time.
- Devices designed for your ear. This could include earplugs, hearing aids, or other devices that your doctor tells you to wear. Wearing these things constantly or incorrectly can irritate the ear canal and increase your chances of developing Swimmer’s Ear. However, there are some ways you can manage this risk (after all, it’s important to wear hearing protection or hearing aids!)
- Weakened immune systems. If your immune system isn’t operating at peak efficiency, it’s possible for a fungal infection to take root.
- Medical history. If you have a history of skin conditions or topical allergies, it might make you more prone to developing Swimmer’s Ear in the future.
Of course, this is all about risk–none of these factors guarantee you will develop Swimmer’s Ear (or that you won’t). Just because your ear gets wet doesn’t mean you’ll instantly develop this condition. But prolonged exposure to wetness will increase your chances of developing Swimmer’s Ear.
How can I prevent Swimmer’s Ear?
Because there’s no one single cause of Swimmer’s Ear, there are a variety of steps you can take that will help minimize the risk of developing this condition in the future.
- Keep your ears dry: After you shower or go for a swim or take a bath, use a towel to gently dry your ears. You don’t need to be harsh. You should also tilt your head and let all the water drain out. If you can keep your ears dry, the bacteria or fungi will have a less hospitable place to grow.
- Don’t use implements to clean your ears: Avoid sticking anything in your ear bigger than a finger. This means you should avoid bobby pins, cotton swabs, or anything else your imagination can conjure. Your ears will thank you!
- Keep your earplugs or hearing aids clean: If they stay clean, you can help minimize the transfer of germs, including bacteria.
- Use earplugs if you swim often: This can help prevent water from getting into your ears in the first place.
- Ask your provider about specially made drying agents: You can purchase these over the counter (they’re basically little ear drops you put in your ears that help dry them out).
But it’s not a bad idea to talk to your doctor before you start putting anything in your ears.
At the very least, you’ll want to keep an eye out for symptoms. Don’t wait until your Swimmer’s Ear is unbearable before you talk to your doctor.
Swimmer’s Ear FAQ
- Will Swimmer’s Ear go away on its own? Maybe. Mild cases may go away in a few weeks. But more serious cases will linger until they are properly treated.
- How do you treat Swimmer’s Ear? Generally, this condition is treated with antibiotic ear drops. (In the case of a fungal infection, they might be antifungal ear drops.)
- If I get ear pain after swimming, is it always Swimmer’s Ear? Not necessarily–though it’s a good idea to check with your doctor either way.
Solve the case of your Swimmer’s Ear
If your ears are itchy or painful, it’s kind of your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong–and an infection is a somewhat likely source of the problem. In other words, you don’t need to be a swimmer to develop Swimmer’s Ear. And you don’t need to be a hard-boiled detective to figure out that the next step is talking to a medical professional.
So if you feel those symptoms, make an appointment and get the care you need when you need it. Find a provider in your area to schedule an appointment by searching providers near you.
